Car Seat Replacement After Accident

Yes, you certainly have the right to ask. It's your daughter's safety. However, I would not assume that the accident was major just because the car was towed. I'm a retired police officer and have seen minor accidents in which the car was towed. All it takes is a fender to be smashed against a tire and the car cannot be driven.

I suggest that once you know the details of the accident that you talk with someone in the fire department about whether or not the seat is still safe to use. If the seat was not impacted I suggest it's still OK but ask the experts.

I also suggest that you ask the mom to go with you to the fire department so that they can check to see if they're properly installed.

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Can't you provide your daughter a carseat? And then just tell her you would feel better having her in that one.

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I have not read any responses but I was in a wrech and as soon as the insurance company knew the kids were WITH me they had me bring in the care seats (3) cut the straps right there and issued me a check for them, a friend of mine was in a wrech WITHOUT her kid and no one said anything to her about her having to replace the seat, the insurance company asked if her daughter was with her and when she said no that was the end of that. It may be determined whether there are kids in the seats when a wreck happens. Mine was towed the friends was not, just my 2 cents. Good luck.

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I personally would not let my child ride to school with anyone if I was the least bit concerned about safety. Not even for a short ride to school. I would be very concerned about the installation of the car seat. Additionally, I really can not understand why you would tighten the seat when she wasn't looking. IMO people's feelings come in a far second behind a child's safety. Why would you not simply show her the car seat wasn't installed properly? I would think she would be grateful not annoyed.

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She might not have received your e-mail yet. I hope everyone is safe and unharmed.

I would not let my children ride in a car that had a car seat in an accident. No, it would not out of line for you to ask if the seats have been replaced.

Car seat installation should be done properly. If not - then what's the point in having the child in a car seat if it's not installed properly?

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Yes, you are well within your rights to ask. If you have any doubt, you should go ahead and drive your daughter to school until you know this situation is resolved.

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She should notify her insurance that she needs a replacement seat. Even a small accident could cause damage you can't see. I replaced the seat my DD was in when we had a fender bender. The insurance reimbursed me as part of the whole repair. I only had to give them a copy of the manual that said it should be replaced after ANY accident and the receipt. No arguments.

I would not allow my child to ride in a seat that had been in an accident. If she hasn't replaced her, tell her she should and that likely the ins. will give her a full refund.

If she can't fit the seat in properly, that's another strike. Many children are harmed with improperly installed seats.

I think you need to be frank with her. I'd rather irritate someone and maybe get them to fix things than say nothing and feel terrible when a child is hurt. It is NOT good enough and you need to decide which is more important - the child(ren) or the gas?

If the accident was not too major (like a role over) I would not worry about the seats, just check they are installed tightly. IF you have other concerns, than drive her yourself.

It's quite possible that she hasn't seen the e-mail yet. My work ones come blazing through 24/7 on my Blackberry, my personal ones on my Droid I don't check as much.

I would just call her and ask if she is OK and ask what her plans are for the car seats. Maybe you could offer to go in half of one to encourage her to replace it. Then tell her how happy you would be to go with her to the fire department or police department to get them re-installed properly :)

You need to talk to your friend first. Is there a chance that the seat your DD uses wasn't even in the car when it happened? If it was just ask if she is going to replace the car seat (if she wasn't at fault the other party's insurance will pay for it) and otherwise offer to get a new car seat for your DD to use in her car.
I am assuming that you daughter is in a booster, which is easy to take in an out (or at least you can buy a model that is easy to take in and out) and small enough to ride in the trunk when not in use - and they are quite inexpensive.
I think if you are insisting on a new car seat, you should provide it for your child. That is what I would do.

Her insurance company will reimburse for new car seats....but frankly...the carseat she has will not do a bit of good...even if it is new...if it is not correctly installed. We ALWAYS had the fire department install ours....free of charge. My daughter always insisted on it...heck...I had to call her and get permission to take my grandson on the interstate...never can be too safe!

Most insurance companies will replace the seats. You should definetly ask her, you can say "you can get a brand new seat! yay!" Also what I do is just unabashedly tighten other peoples seats all the time. "whoa thats a little loose, let me get it tightened for you". If there is an issue, that is the time to educate the mom about car seat safety. Send her to you tube. there are all kinds of scary crash test videos.